Together across borders
08.12.2023 – MAYA ROBERT-NICOUD
The 100th Congress of the Swiss Abroad will take place in the magnificent setting of Lucerne, against the backdrop of Lake Lucerne and the majestic Alpine peaks. And that’s not all – we will be celebrating three anniversaries, and enjoying an interesting exchange of ideas.
The 100th Congress of the Swiss Abroad, scheduled for 11-13 July 2024 in Lucerne, is a historic occasion for the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA), SwissCommunity. Under the theme “Together across borders”, this congress will celebrate the enduring, often invisible and yet profound link between the Swiss Abroad and their home country.
We also have two other big anniversaries to celebrate in 2024: 90 years of organising holiday camps for young Swiss Abroad, and 50 years of the “Swiss Review”, a vital information source for the “Fifth Switzerland”. These anniversaries emphasise once again the importance of cross-border connections and the key role of the OSA, SwissCommunity, in maintaining ties with Switzerland.
Since the first congress in 1918, Swiss migration has undergone a remarkable evolution, with more than 800,000 of our compatriots living abroad in 2023, equivalent to more than 10 percent of the Swiss population. There was a time when people left intending never to return as they searched for a brighter future elsewhere. Today, we are seeing a more dynamic international mobility of shorter duration, often prompted by career opportunities or a quiet retirement in another country. The needs of the Swiss Abroad have also evolved over the decades.
The history of the OSA Congress also reflects societal developments. The Second World War saw the cancellation of four congresses, while the 2020 and 2021 editions could not take place as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. These 105 years have seen major transformations in mobility and means of communication. We have progressed from writing the occasional letter home, which took months to arrive, to instantaneous hyperconnectivity from anywhere.
The 100th Congress of the Swiss Abroad will be a memorable occasion. It will address the past, present and future of the Swiss diaspora and will enable us to celebrate this connection to our homeland which is reflected in the spirit of unity among the Swiss wherever they may live.
The event will feature the active participation of over 60 young Swiss Abroad who have participated in the holiday camps, with a Swiss government representative also in attendance. Moreover, the presence of the business and research communities will offer numerous networking opportunities. The festivities will include official speeches, entertainment and much more besides, all in two iconic locations: Lucerne and the Square of the Swiss Abroad in Brunnen, enabling attendees to discover or rediscover a region rich in tradition and the characteristic Swiss experience.
Reserve the dates so we can all attend the 100th Congress in a festive, convivial and welcoming ambience.
MAYA ROBERT-NICOUD
Organisation of the Swiss Abroad, Alpenstrasse 26, 3006 Bern, Switzerland, communication@swisscommunity.org, swisscommunity.org, Tel. +41 31 356 61 17
For more information: revue.link/congres24
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